Mount assembly and speaker mount with screwless dog

ABSTRACT

A mount, mount assembly, and speaker mount. That includes: a mount body with flange; a tower assembly including: a trigger, a dog; a bias member biasing the dog towards the mount body; a path guide guiding the dog along the tower assembly. The path guide allows/forces the dog to be oriented according to: a first orientation wherein the foot is pointed directly towards the mount body and substantially aligned with the tower assembly, and a second orientation wherein the foot is not so pointed and aligned such that the foot does interfere with travel of the mount through an aperture when the dog is in a second position that is spaced closer to the mount body than the first position. The dog changes between positions by operation of the bias member and not by a screw.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, to the U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/860,478 and 63/036,355 each byHart et al. filed on 12 Jun. 2019 and 8 Jun. 2020, respectively, whichare both incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mounts, specifically to mountassemblies and speaker mounts.

Description of the Related Art

Mounts are used to couple objects/devices (e.g. speakers, diffusers,decorative objects/devices, microphones, telephones, control panels,home automation devices, vents, fans, dispensers, cameras, securitydevices, surveillance devices, sensors, art, monitors/televisionscreens, lighting, heat lamps) to surfaces, such as but not limited towalls, ceilings, desks, tables, barriers, dividers, and the like. Oftena hole will be cut through the surface, with the hole sized to be largeenough for the mount to couple through the hole and to the surface. Themount itself may include an aperture therethrough through which theobject/device is coupled to the mount or the object/device may beintegral to the mount. Generally, the mount will clamp to the surface atthe edges of the hole through the surface. There is often a flangedisposed around the mount that forms one side of the “clamp” on one sideof the surface and then a “dog” that moves to press against the otherside, thereby forming a clamping structure with the surface beingcoupled to being clamped therein.

A speaker or loudspeaker is a device containing one or moreelectro-acoustic transducers; which converts an electrical audio signalinto a corresponding sound. The most widely used type of speaker todayis the dynamic speaker, invented in 1925 by Edward W. Kellogg andChester W. Rice. The dynamic speaker operates on the same basicprinciple as a dynamic microphone, but in reverse, to produce sound froman electrical signal. When an alternating current electrical audiosignal is applied to its voice coil, a coil of wire suspended in acircular gap between the poles of a permanent magnet, the coil is forcedto move rapidly back and forth due to Faraday's law of induction, whichcauses a diaphragm (usually conically shaped) attached to the coil tomove back and forth, pushing on the air to create sound waves. Besidesthis most common method, there are several alternative technologies thatcan be used to convert an electrical signal into sound. The sound source(e.g., a sound recording or a microphone) must be amplified with anamplifier before the signal is sent to the speaker.

Speakers are typically housed in an enclosure which is often a circular,rectangular, or square box made of wood, metal, or sometimes plastic,and the enclosure plays an important role in the quality of the sound.Where high fidelity reproduction of sound is required, multipleloudspeaker transducers are often mounted in the same enclosure, eachreproducing a part of the audible frequency range. In this case theindividual speakers are referred to as “drivers” and the entire unit iscalled a loudspeaker. Drivers made for reproducing high audiofrequencies are called tweeters, those for middle frequencies are calledmid-range drivers, and those for low frequencies are called woofers.Smaller loudspeakers are found in devices such as radios, televisions,portable audio players, computers, and electronic musical instruments.Larger loudspeaker systems are used for music, sound reinforcement intheatres and concerts, and in public address systems.

In the related art, it has been known to use mounts and especiallyspeaker mounts to couple objects/devices to surfaces. These mounts aresometimes difficult to install and/or sometimes fail to securely holdtheir associated objects/devices securely to the surface. Someimprovements have been made in the field. Examples of references relatedto the present invention are described below in their own words, and thesupporting teachings of each reference are incorporated by referenceherein:

European Patent No. EP 2 746 643 by Koivisto discloses a fixing systemfor a recessed luminaire having a carrier frame for the luminaire with acylindrical surface section which is oriented coaxial to a center axleof the carrier frame and which surrounds a recess opening for mountingthe luminaire to the carrier frame and with a flat rim sectionprotruding from the cylindrical surface section radially to the outsidewherein the flat rim section provides a first contact surface of thefixing system for connecting the fixing system to an outer surface of aceiling and a clamping unit attached to the carrier frame with aclamping element providing at least one second contact surface of thefixing system for connecting the fixing system to an inner surface ofthe ceiling.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,256,728, issued to Wright, discloses speaker assembliesthat are configured for simple installation and removal. Speakerassemblies include a gear ring, a plurality of screws adapted to rotatewhen the gear ring is rotated, and a latching mechanism adapted toextend one or more latches outward when the screws are rotated.

Methods of installing speaker assemblies include inserting a framethrough a mounting hole in a mounting panel. A gear ring coupled to aplurality of screws is rotated, and a plurality of latches extendoutward to engage a back-side surface of the mounting panel. Methods ofmaking speaker assemblies include coupling a plurality of screws with agear ring to enable rotation of the plurality of screws upon rotation ofthe gear ring. A latching mechanism is coupled to each of the pluralityof screws.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,028,309, issued to Rimmer, discloses a mounting flangefor attaching an HVAC air diffuser terminal in an opening in a floor orother mounting surface. The mounting flange includes a trim ring and aflange clip. The flange clip is adjustably and movably received in aslot defined a side of the trim ring. A pawl on the flange clip engageswith ratchets defined in a surface of the trim ring adjacent to the slotto maintain the flange clip in selected position relative the undersideof a floor. The air diffuser terminal is secured in the floor openingbetween gripping surfaces on the flange clip and the trim ring. Anoptional screw operably connects the flange clip with the trim ring sothat the diffuser may be securely tightened in the floor opening.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No.: 2013/0,039,082, by Fleischer etal., discloses a vehicle light, which may be a third brake light,includes an insertion portion for inserting in a recess of a vehiclecomponent and a contact portion for placing the brake light on an edgeof the recess. The contact portion protrudes at least in sections pastthe side of the insertion portion, wherein the insertion portion has atleast one catch element designed for catching the brake light on thevehicle component. The insertion portion further has at least onelocking element for sliding the at least one catch element

in the direction of the contact portion. The locking element isimplemented as a lever. The method can be used for installing such avehicle light, in particular a brake light.

The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantageswhich include: requiring complicated parts, requiring screws and/or theoperation of screw devices to secure/clamp to a surface, requiring toolsfor installation/removal, binding too tightly on surfaces, failing toengage/trigger on install, being too loose when fully installed,requiring two installers to mount to a surface, being difficult touninstall/remove, leaving marks/damage on surfaces (especially whenuninstalled), having complicated trigger mechanisms/actuations, beingprone to breakage, being difficult to manufacture, being heavy, beingprone to failure and taking too long to install.

What is needed is a mount, mount assembly, and/or speaker mount thatsolves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or moreproblems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art uponbecoming familiar with this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the presentstate of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable mounts, mount assemblies, and speaker mounts Accordingly, thepresent invention has been developed to provide a mount, mount assembly,and/or speaker mount.

There may be a mount, mount assembly, and or a speaker mount. The mount,mount assembly, and/or speaker mount may include one or more of: a mountbody and/or a speaker baffle which may include a flange; a towerassembly that may protrude from a backside of the speaker baffle ormount body, the tower assembly including one or more of: a dog, whichmay include one or more of: a dog body; and a foot extending from thedog body; a bias member that may extend lengthwise along the towerassembly and/or be functionally coupled to the dog, thereby biasing thedog towards the speaker baffle or mount body; a path guide that mayextend lengthwise along the tower assembly and/or be functionallycoupled to the dog such that the dog travels lengthwise along the towerassembly (it may be that the path guide allows the dog to be orientedaccording to one or more of: a first orientation wherein the foot ispointed directly towards the speaker baffle or mount body and/or issubstantially aligned with a lengthwise orientation of the towerassembly such that the foot does not interfere with travel of the mount,mount assembly, or speaker mount through an aperture when the dog is ina first position that is spaced away from the mount body or speakerbaffle; and a second orientation wherein the foot is not pointeddirectly towards the mount body or speaker baffle and/or substantiallyunaligned with the lengthwise orientation of the tower assembly suchthat the foot does interfere with travel of the mount, mount assembly,or speaker mount through an aperture when the dog is in a secondposition that is spaced closer to the mount body or speaker baffle thanthe first position, wherein the dog changes from the first position tothe second position by operation of the bias member and/or not byoperation of a screw); and a trigger that may be in functionalcommunication with the dog when the dog is in the first position. Theremay also be a bias member guide that may extend lengthwise along thetower assembly that traps the bias member in an orientation lengthwisealong the tower assembly. There may also be an array of teeth that mayface a backside of the dog body when the dog body is in the secondposition that mate with a dog tooth of the dog body. There may also be acap that may cover a top of the tower assembly (it may be that the caprestricts a teeth body from exiting the top of the tower assembly)and/or the teeth body may include an array of serrated protrusions.There may be a tower void that may be in an interior of the towerassembly and/or it may be that within which the bias member and/or aportion of the dog body is disposed. There may be a path tab that mayextend from the dog body mating with the path guide.

It may be that the bias member guide is a pillar about which the biasmember is disposed. It may be that the dog body is a spring cup that maybe mated with the bias member and/or it may be that the foot isrotatably coupled to the spring cup. It may be that the dog a singleformed body without articulating members. It may be that the path tab iselongated orthogonal to an axis of protrusion from the dog body and/orit may be that the path guide includes a curved region at a top of thepath guide thereof that may be sized to force the path tab to rotatewhen the dog is in the first position.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the present invention should be or are in anysingle embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to thefeatures and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language,throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to thesame embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that theinvention can be practiced without one or more of the specific featuresor advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additionalfeatures and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments thatmay not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims or maybe learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, amore particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that areillustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings ofthe invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematicsrepresentations, not intended to portray specific parameters of theinvention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered tobe limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a speaker mount having a speakerdisposed therein being lifted into a hole through a ceiling, accordingto one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a mount assembly including adevice, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a tower assembly in a first modewith a dog in a first orientation, according to one embodiment of theinvention, with FIG. 4 being a side view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a tower assembly in a second modewith a dog in a second orientation, according to one embodiment of theinvention, with

FIG. 6 being a side view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a mount assembly including a deviceshowing two dogs in a second orientation, according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGS. 8-11 are partial side elevational partial cross-sectional views ofa mount assembly, showing a device body in various stages of engagementwith a trigger of a tower assembly, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 12-14 are side cross-sectional elevational views of a towerassembly and an edge of a hole through a surface showing manualtriggering, via an internal lever press, from a first mode to a secondmode, wherein a dog transitions from a first orientation to a secondorientation, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 15-17 are side cross-sectional elevational views of a towerassembly and an edge of a hole through a surface showing manualtriggering, via an external button press, from a first mode to a secondmode, wherein a dog transitions from a first orientation to a secondorientation, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 18-21 are side cross-sectional elevational views of a towerassembly and an edge of a hole through a surface showing manual dogreset, via an internal protrusion press, from a second mode to a firstmode, wherein a dog transitions from a second orientation to a firstorientation, thereby allowing removal of an associated mount from a holethrough a surface, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of a tower assembly including atension spring as a bias member, according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of mount assembly showing a dog, biasmember, path guide, and array of teeth all external to a tower,according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 24-27 are side elevational views of variations on path guidestructures and associated bias members, according to various embodimentsof the invention;

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of an assembled bias member with topspring cup and two-piece dog with the dog in a first orientation,according to one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 29 being the samewith the dog in a second orientation;

FIG. 30 is a side elevational view of an assembled bias member andtwo-piece dog with the dog in a first orientation, according to oneembodiment of the invention,

FIG. 31 being the same with the dog in a second orientation;

FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of an assembled bias member andone-piece dog with the dog in a first orientation, according to oneembodiment of the invention,

FIG. 33 being the same with the dog in a second orientation;

FIGS. 34 and 35 are side elevational views of a two-piece dog having ahigh degree of rotation during the “flip-out” and “flip-in” actions,according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein FIG. 34 shows afirst orientation and FIG. 35 shows a second orientation wherein the dogfinger is engaged with a backside of a surface;

FIG. 36 shows a partial perspective view of a tower assembly formedwithin a baffle and only partially extending beyond the baffle of themount assembly, wherein other tower assemblies may be similarlyprotruding and therefore coupled to each other, according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 37 shows a non-linear path guide with a plurality of bias membersin series therealong, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 38-40 show non-limiting prophetic embodiments of non-linear pathguides, according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 41-44 show operation of a button shaft dislodging a dog from ashelf of a non-linear path guide and thereby triggering the dog to flipoutward and downward along the path guide, according to one embodimentof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations andfurther modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andany additional applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered withinthe scope of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example”or similar language means that a particular feature, structure,characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the presentinvention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an“example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, butdo not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to differentembodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, referenceto the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or morefeatures, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarilyrelated, dissimilar, the same, etc.

Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be consideredindependent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use ofsimilar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore,where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” theidentified embodiment is independent of any other embodimentscharacterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features,functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to becombined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or artmay direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements ormethod steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the morerestrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a speaker mount 120 having aspeaker 110 disposed therein being lifted into a hole through a surface102 (illustrated as a ceiling), according to one embodiment of theinvention. There is a speaker body 112 partially inserted into thespeaker mount, both being lifted by hands 106 of an installer into ahole sized such that the illustrated flange 124 extending from thespeaker baffle overlaps an edge 104 of the hole through the surface. Adog 122 is positioned and oriented at a side of the speaker mount so asto be ready to deploy and so as to not interfere with insertion of thespeaker mount through the hole in the surface. Generally, a plurality ofsuch dogs are positioned about a perimeter of the baffle such that infinal installation, the surface is clamped at multiple points for asecure coupling.

In the illustrated embodiment, no tools are needed to complete theinstallation of the speaker into the ceiling as the dogs are triggeredto clamp down on the backside of the ceiling as the speaker body isfully inserted into the interior of the speaker mount baffle. See FIGS.2 and 8-11 for non-limiting exemplary embodiments of such triggeringmechanisms. Additionally, the face of the speaker and speaker mount haveno controls, protrusions, holes, or other evidence of installationhardware other than the flange itself, which creates a clean and simpleinstall aesthetic while still providing a secure coupling.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a mount assembly 210 including adevice 200, according to one embodiment of the invention. Theillustrated mount assembly includes a flange 214 circumscribing a bafflethereof with a tower assembly 220 protruding orthogonally therefrom. Thetower assembly includes a dog 224 and a cap 222 that covers a void 228within which a path guide 226 is disposed (the boundaries of the voidformed by the body of the tower assembly also form a part of theillustrated path guide as they confine the illustrated dog to aparticular path of travel, including orientation confinement). Theillustrated path guide also serves to confine travel, position andorientation of the illustrated spring encircling the path guide. Theillustrated tower assembly also includes a trigger 212 that is coupledto an edge of the device.

As used herein, the term “path guide” is an open term, as there areoften several parts, pieces, components, structures, etc. that cooperateto confine the illustrated dogs to particular paths of travel andorientation. Accordingly, where any particular structure is pointed outas a “path guide” that does not mean that there are no other path guidesor path guide structures. Further, many but not all of the path guidesillustrated herein serve to confine one or more bias members and socould also be called a spring guide. For simplicity, the term path guideis used in order to focus attention on the travel of the various dogsdescribed herein. The illustrated path guide and bias member guide is apillar about which the bias member is disposed.

The illustrated device includes structure consistent with a backside ofa speaker, but it may be a speaker, diffuser, decorative object/device,microphone, telephone, control panel, home automation device, vent, fan,dispenser, camera, security device, surveillance device, sensor, art,monitor/television screen, lighting, heat lamp, or the like orcombinations thereof. The device includes a back plate shaped and sizedto engage with the triggers of the tower assemblies so that fullinsertion of the device into the mount assembly engages with thetriggers in a manner to fully engage the same (e.g. See FIG. 11).

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a tower assembly 300 in a firstmode with a dog 320 in a first orientation, according to one embodimentof the invention, with FIG. 4 being a side view thereof. The illustratedtower assembly includes a cap 310 disposed over a path guide 330encircled at a top thereof by a bias member 450. There is shown an arrayof teeth 340 disposed within a void of the tower assembly. Theillustrated bias member extends lengthwise along the tower assembly andis functionally coupled to the dog, thereby biasing the dog towards thespeaker baffle or mount body.

The illustrated bias member is a compression spring disposed around atop region of the pillar-shaped path guide. The compression spring isbounded by the cap so that when the dog is in a first position thecompression spring is compressed. In alternative embodiments the biasmember(s) may be a tension spring, leaf spring, torsion spring, constantforce spring, drawbar spring, volute spring, garter spring, flat spring,gas spring, and/or air spring and the like and combinations thereof.

The illustrated path guide (which may include the slot through the towerassembly through which the dog protrudes in the second orientationand/or including any slots/grooves through which a path tab may extend)extends lengthwise along the tower assembly and is functionally coupledto the dog such that the dog travels lengthwise along the towerassembly. The illustrated path guide allows the dog to be orientedaccording to: a first orientation wherein the foot is pointed directlytowards the mount body and is substantially aligned with a lengthwiseorientation of the tower assembly such that the foot does not interferewith travel of the mount/mount assembly through an aperture when the dogis in a first position that is spaced away from the mount body; and asecond orientation wherein the foot is not pointed directly towards themount body and is substantially unaligned with the lengthwiseorientation of the tower assembly such that the foot does interfere withtravel of the mount/mount assembly through an aperture when the dog isin a second position that is spaced closer to the mount body than thefirst position.

It is noted that the illustrated dog changes from the first position tothe second position by operation of the bias member and not by operationof any screw. In particular, the travel of the dog along the path guideis not powered/driven by any screw, even if non-illustrated embodimentsincluded a screw for other purposes (e.g. to couple a flange to abaffle). This is true for all embodiments illustrated herein.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a tower assembly 500 in a secondmode with a dog 520 in a second orientation, according to one embodimentof the invention, with FIG. 6 being a side view thereof. It may be thatthe tower assembly 500 of FIG. 5 is the same tower assembly of FIGS. 3and 4. There is shown a cap 510 enclosing a void of the tower assemblyand holding a path guide 530 encircled by a bias member 550 in placetherein. An array of teeth 540 is adjacent a dog body 660 of the dogthat is biased towards a base of the tower assembly by the bias member(illustrated as a compression spring), while the dog finger 670 isdisposed over a backside of a surface trapping the surface between thedog finger and a flange.

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a mount assembly including a deviceshowing a pair of dogs 710, 720 in a second orientation, according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 8-11 are partial side elevational partial cross-sectional views ofa mount assembly, showing a device body 800 in various stages ofengagement with a trigger 802 of a tower assembly 810 having a cap 812at a top thereof as the mount assembly enters through an aperture in abaffle of the mount assembly that extends through an aperture in asurface 820 and engages therewith via a flange 806, according to oneembodiment of the invention. The illustrated cap restricts a teeth bodyfrom exiting the top of the tower assembly as the illustrated teeth bodyis biased upward since the bias member braces thereagainst opposite thedog.

The illustrated trigger is in functional communication with the dog whenthe dog is in the first position. The trigger pivots about a cam pivot838 and includes a cam 836 that engages (as the trigger lifts byengagement with the entering device body) with a cam follower 834coupled to a teeth body 830 having an array of teeth 832 (array ofserrated protrusions). As the trigger lifts, a latch assembly 804disengages 904 and the dog flips-outward and snaps down against thesurface, pinning the surface against the flange. Under force of a biasmember 814 encircling a top region of a path guide 818 the dog, having adog finger 816, is freed from confinement to a first orientation whereinthe dog finger is “out of the way” of the hole through the surface androtates to extend outside of the tower assembly such that an imaginarydrop-line 910 from the tip of the dog finger extends over a backside ofthe surface and the dog begins to descend theretoward. The illustratedpath guide is also a bias member guide that extends lengthwise along thetower assembly and that traps the bias member in an orientationlengthwise along the tower assembly.

The illustrated latch assembly has a first latch hook 1010 thatcooperatively engages with a second latch hook 1012. The dog includes atooth prong (dog tooth) at a backside thereof that engages with thearray of teeth when the dog is in a second orientation. As the camfurther engages with the cam follower while the device body is beingpushed the final distance into full engagement with the mount assembly,the teeth body slides downwards, towards the flange which cause thearray of teeth to also slide downward while engaged with the tooth prongof the dog body, which presses the dog finger harder against thebackside of the surface forming a more secure clamping thereto.

FIGS. 12-14 are side cross-sectional elevational views of a towerassembly and an edge of a hole through a surface showing manualtriggering, via an internal lever press, from a first mode to a secondmode, wherein a dog transitions from a first orientation to a secondorientation, according to one embodiment of the invention. Theillustrated trigger 1210 is engaged with the hand 1200 of the operatorto lift the trigger and thereby disengage the first latch hook 1220 fromthe second latch hook 1230 thereby freeing the dog and allowing the dogfinger to rotate upwardly and away from the tower assembly.

FIGS. 15-17 are side cross-sectional elevational views of a towerassembly and an edge of a hole through a surface showing manualtriggering, via an external button press, from a first mode to a secondmode, wherein a dog transitions from a first orientation to a secondorientation, according to one embodiment of the invention. The user'shand 1500 presses a button 1504 protruding through a faceplate 1506 of amount assembly, the button being an end of a button shaft extending to atrigger 1510 such that pressing the button lifts the trigger whichdisengages a first latch 1620 from a second latch 1630 which releases adog coupled to the second latch to flip out and snap down under biasfrom a bias member and clamp to the surface in cooperation with aflange.

FIGS. 18-21 are side cross-sectional elevational views of a towerassembly and an edge of a hole through a surface showing manual dogreset, via an internal protrusion press, from a second mode to a firstmode, wherein a dog transitions from a second orientation to a firstorientation, thereby allowing removal of an associated mount from a holethrough a surface, according to one embodiment of the invention. Thehand 1800 of an operator is able to reset a trigger for a dog byreaching through an aperture formed by a baffle of a mount assembly toengage with a protrusion extending from a backside of a dog.

The dog thereby slides up the path guide until the first latch hook 1820and the second latch hook 1830 engage with each other and thereby latchtogether. This resets the trigger 1810 so that it may be triggered at alater time. It also lifts the dog finger 1840 from a backside of thesurface thereby unclamping the surface from the mount. A path guide,combined with an x-shaped hollow interior of the dog allows and causesthe dog to rotate at a top of the path guide so that the dog fingerrotates inwards towards the tower assembly and thereby retracts frombeing in the way. Accordingly, the mount assembly may be extracted outof the hole through the surface without damage to any of the structuresinvolved and without requiring any tools.

FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of a tower assembly 2200 including atension spring 2210 as a bias member, according to one embodiment of theinvention. The illustrated tension spring encircles a path guide 2220and is coupled to a dog 2230. When the dog is in a first position, thetension spring is pulled away from rest position and therefore biasesthe dog towards the flange, such that when the dog is released by atrigger the dog is pulled towards the flange. In a similar embodiment, aleaf spring disposed along the side of the tower assembly or pinnedbehind the tower assembly at one end and coupled at a top/bottom of adog could either push/pull the dog towards the flange when the dog isreleased.

FIG. 23 is a side perspective view of mount assembly showing a dog 2320(flipped out to be over a flange 2302), bias member 2310, path guide2330, and array of teeth 2340 all external to a tower body 2300,according to one embodiment of the invention. There is a single towerbody (the central baffle extending upward from the flange) to which aplurality of path guides and dog couples are attached to an exteriorthereof. The tower body supports each couple and also provides a surfacefrom which an array of teeth may protrude and beneficially interact withthe associated dog.

FIGS. 24-27 are side elevational views of variations on path guidestructures and associated bias members, according to various embodimentsof the invention. In particular, FIG. 24 shows a bias member 2400encircling a shaft path guide 2410, FIGS. 25 and 27 each show a biasmember 2500, 2700 partially enclosed by a spring cup 2510, 2720 andencircling a shaft path guide 2520, 2710 (FIGS. 25 and 27 each beingmirror images of each other), and FIG. 26 shows a bias member 2600partially enclosed by each of a first spring cup 2610 and a secondspring cup 2620. The various illustrated embodiments show alternativeways to couple coil springs to features within a tower assembly. Theillustrated bottom spring cups may form dog bodies and/or be coupledthereto (e.g. See FIGS. 28-31). The illustrated structures may bedisposed within tower voids.

FIG. 28 is a side elevational view of an assembled bias member 2830 witha top spring cup 2840 and two-piece dog 2820 (combined dog and springcup) with the dog in a first orientation 2800, according to oneembodiment of the invention, FIG. 29 being the same with the dog in asecond orientation 2900. The illustrated dog finger 2810 is coupled tothe combo-dog body and bottom spring cup via a dog-finger pivot 2812.

FIG. 30 is a side elevational view of an assembled bias member 3030 andtwo-piece dog 3020 having tooth prongs 3040 with the dog in a firstorientation 3000, according to one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 31being the same with the dog in a second orientation 3100 wherein the dogfinger 3010 is flipped outward.

FIG. 32 is a side elevational view of an assembled bias member 3220encircling a top region of a path guide 3230, and one-piece dog 3210having a dog finger 3212 and a path tab 3214 with the dog in a firstorientation 3200, according to one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 33being the same with the dog in a second orientation 3300. Theillustrated dog is a single formed body without articulating members.The illustrated path tab is is elongated orthogonal to an axis ofprotrusion.

It may be that the illustrated path tab may extend from the dog bodymating with the path guide. As a non-limiting example, there may be apath guide as a slot through an interior side of the tower assembly thatmay be widened and/or curved at a top region such that the illustratedpath tab is forced to be oriented as shown in FIG. 32, while the pathguide through which the path tab travels may be narrower near a bottomregion thereof, such that the path tab is forced to be oriented as shownin FIG. 33, since the illustrated path tab is elongated. Suchfacilitates in the “flip-out” and “flip-in” action and orientation ofthe illustrated dog.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are side elevational views of a two-piece dog having ahigh degree of rotation during the “flip-out” and “flip-in” actions,according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein FIG. 34 shows afirst orientation and FIG. 35 shows a second orientation wherein the dogfinger is engaged with a backside of a surface. In the illustratedembodiment the dog body, when fully deployed, rests partially below thesurface, which may require an aperture or cut-out in a flange. There maybe a torsion spring disposed within the dog body that biases the dogfinger towards the orientation shown in FIG. 35.

FIG. 36 shows a partial perspective view of a tower assembly formedwithin a baffle and only partially extending beyond the baffle of themount assembly, wherein other tower assemblies may be similarlyprotruding and therefore coupled to each other. The path guide isvisible as dashed lines though the dog. In this view it is apparent thatthe upper portion of the path guide includes space to guide the dog intoa first position parallel with the mount, and the lower portion includesspace to guide the dog into a second position which is not parallel withthe mount.

FIG. 37 shows a non-linear path guide with a plurality of bias membersin series therealong. There are shown three coil springs, one at eachlinear portion of the illustrated path guide. The illustrated dog isfully deployed with the finger thereof extending (flipped-out).

FIGS. 38-40 show non-limiting prophetic embodiments of non-linear pathguides. Such guides may be formed by slots through tower bodies. FIGS.38 and 39 each show path guides having ledges/shelves that may, withother structures, form trigger mechanisms to allow for dogs to springdownward when triggered such that they are pushed/pulled off the shelf(e.g. see FIGS. 41-44). FIG. 40 is a circular path guide that allows forcircular travel of a dog instead of a back/forth up/down travel.

FIGS. 41-44 show operation of a button shaft dislodging a dog from ashelf of a non-linear path guide and thereby triggering the dog to flipoutward and downward along the path guide. FIGS. 41 and 42 show a singlebody dog while FIGS. 43 and 44 show a two-piece dog.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific formswithout departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Thedescribed embodiment is to be considered in all respects only asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above withparticularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed tobe the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts ofthe invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplatedthat an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consistessentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures,methods described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A speaker mount, comprising: a. a speaker baffleincluding a flange; b. a tower assembly protruding from a backside ofthe speaker baffle, including: i. a dog, including: ii. a dog body; andiii. a foot extending from the dog body; c. a bias member extendinglengthwise along the tower assembly and functionally coupled to the dog,thereby biasing the dog towards the speaker baffle; d. a path guideextending lengthwise along the tower assembly and functionally coupledto the dog such that the dog travels lengthwise along the towerassembly, wherein the path guide allows the dog to be oriented accordingto: i. a first orientation wherein the foot is pointed directly towardsthe speaker baffle and is substantially aligned with a lengthwiseorientation of the tower assembly such that the foot does not interferewith travel of the speaker mount through an aperture when the dog is ina first position that is spaced away from the speaker baffle; and ii. asecond orientation wherein the foot is not pointed directly towards thespeaker baffle and substantially unaligned with the lengthwiseorientation of the tower assembly such that the foot does interfere withtravel of the speaker mount through an aperture when the dog is in asecond position that is spaced closer to the speaker baffle than thefirst position, wherein the dog changes from the first position to thesecond position by operation of the bias member and not by operation ofa screw; and e. a trigger in functional communication with the dog whenthe dog is in the first position.
 2. The speaker mount of claim 1,further comprising a bias member guide extending lengthwise along thetower assembly that traps the bias member in an orientation lengthwisealong the tower assembly.
 3. The speaker mount of claim 2, wherein thebias member guide is a pillar about which the bias member is disposed.4. The speaker mount of claim 1, further comprising an array of teethfacing a backside of the dog body when the dog body is in the secondposition that mate with a dog tooth of the dog body.
 5. The speakermount of claim 1, further comprising a cap covering a top of the towerassembly, wherein the cap restricts a teeth body from exiting the top ofthe tower assembly, the teeth body including an array of serratedprotrusions.
 6. The speaker mount of claim 1, further comprising a towervoid in an interior of the tower assembly within which the bias memberand a portion of the dog body is disposed.
 7. The speaker mount of claim1, further comprising a path tab extending from the dog body mating withthe path guide.
 8. The speaker mount of claim 1, wherein the dog body isa spring cup mated with the bias member and the foot is rotatablycoupled to the spring cup.
 9. The speaker mount of claim 1, wherein thedog a single formed body without articulating members.
 10. A mountassembly for mounting an accessory item into a wall body, comprising: a.a mount body, including a flange; b. a tower assembly protruding from abackside of the mount body, including: i. a dog, including: ii. a dogbody; and iii. a foot extending from the dog body; c. a bias memberfunctionally coupled to the dog, thereby biasing the dog towards themount body; d. a path guide extending lengthwise along the towerassembly and slidably coupled to the dog such that the dog travelslengthwise along the tower assembly, wherein the path guide allows thedog to be oriented according to: i. a first orientation wherein the footis pointed directly towards the mount body and is substantially alignedwith a lengthwise orientation of the tower assembly such that the footdoes not interfere with travel of the mount assembly through an aperturewhen the dog is in a first position that is spaced away from the mountbody; and ii. a second orientation wherein the foot is not pointeddirectly towards the mount body and substantially unaligned with thelengthwise orientation of the tower assembly such that the foot doesinterfere with travel of the mount assembly through an aperture of thewall body when the dog is in a second position that is spaced closer tothe mount body than the first position and is also spaced near to theflange, wherein the dog changes from the first position to the secondposition by operation of the bias member and not by operation of ascrew; and e. a trigger in functional communication with the dog whenthe dog is in the first position.
 11. The mount assembly of claim 10,further comprising a bias member guide extending lengthwise along thetower assembly that traps the bias member in an orientation lengthwisealong the tower assembly.
 12. The mount assembly of claim 11, whereinthe bias member guide is a pillar about which the bias member isdisposed.
 13. The mount assembly of claim 12, further comprising a teethbody having array of teeth facing a backside of the dog body when thedog body is in the second position that mate with a dog tooth of the dogbody.
 14. The mount assembly of claim 13, further comprising a capcovering a top of the tower assembly, wherein the cap restricts theteeth body from exiting the top of the tower assembly.
 15. The mountassembly of claim 14, further comprising a tower void in an interior ofthe tower assembly within which the bias member and a portion of the dogbody is disposed.
 16. The mount assembly of claim 15, wherein the dogbody is a spring cup mated with the bias member and the foot isrotatably coupled to the spring cup.
 17. The mount assembly of claim 15,wherein the dog a single formed body without articulating members. 18.The mount assembly of claim 17, further comprising a path tab protrudingfrom the dog body mating with the path guide.
 19. The mount assembly ofclaim 18, wherein the path tab is elongated orthogonal to an axis ofprotrusion from the dog body and wherein the path guide includes acurved region at a top of the path guide thereof that is sized to forcethe path tab to rotate when the dog is in the first position.
 20. Aspeaker mount, comprising: a. a speaker baffle including a flange; b. atower assembly protruding from a backside of the speaker baffle,including: i. a dog, including: ii. a dog body; and iii. a footextending from the dog body; c. a bias member extending lengthwise alongthe tower assembly and functionally coupled to the dog, thereby biasingthe dog towards the speaker baffle; d. a path guide extending lengthwisealong the tower assembly and functionally coupled to the dog such thatthe dog travels lengthwise along the tower assembly, wherein the pathguide allows the dog to be oriented according to: i. a first orientationwherein the foot is pointed directly towards the speaker baffle and issubstantially aligned with a lengthwise orientation of the towerassembly such that the foot does not interfere with travel of thespeaker mount through an aperture when the dog is in a first positionthat is spaced away from the speaker baffle; and ii. a secondorientation wherein the foot is not pointed directly towards the speakerbaffle and substantially unaligned with the lengthwise orientation ofthe tower assembly such that the foot does interfere with travel of thespeaker mount through an aperture when the dog is in a second positionthat is spaced closer to the speaker baffle than the first position,wherein the dog changes from the first position to the second positionby operation of the bias member and not by operation of a screw; e. atrigger in functional communication with the dog when the dog is in thefirst position; f. a pillar extending lengthwise along the towerassembly and disposed within the bias member, the pillar trapping thebias member in an orientation lengthwise along the tower assembly; g. ateeth body having array of teeth facing a backside of the dog body whenthe dog body is in the second position that mate with a dog tooth of thedog body. h. a tower void in an interior of the tower assembly withinwhich the bias member and a portion of the dog body is disposed; and i.a path tab extending from the dog body mating with the path guide,wherein the path tab is elongated orthogonal to an axis of protrusionfrom the dog body and wherein the path guide includes a curved region ata top of the path guide thereof that is sized to force the path tab torotate when the dog is in the first position.